CORRUPTION IN L.A. GOVERNMENT? Ex-appraiser says he cut values in hopes of donations to assessor. “A former county appraiser who secretly and improperly slashed tens of millions of dollars from the taxable values of Westside properties in late 2010 said he did it in the hope that wealthy homeowners receiving the reductions would contribute money to Los Angeles County Assessor John Noguez.”

And now: Raids in 2 states expand corruption probe of L.A. County assessor. “Boxes of evidence are taken from the home of Assessor John Noguez, who is the focus of an influence-peddling probe. The Phoenix-area home of a campaign donor who has secured large tax reductions for clients is also raided.”

Background here.